Homes produce all kinds of strange sounds. Some of them are perfectly normal such as humming refrigerators and creaking floorboards. Others can be signs of something serious and potentially hazardous in your home. Below are some of the strange sounds that you shouldn’t ignore.
Dripping water
Dripping water is one of those strange sounds that may come from an obvious source such as a leaky tap. While you probably still want to get this fixed to prevent your water bill from taking a hit, it’s not a serious issue.
Unidentifiable dripping sounds should however be a concern. A pipe could be leaking or you could have rainwater seeping into your home. If ignored, such leaks could result in water damage, which could lead to mold growth and structural damage.
Try to find the source of the dripping. If it’s noticeable after rainfall and coming from above, it is likely you have a leaky roof – it could be worth looking into roof repair or even a new roof using a company such as ProStar Roofing. If it is coming from elsewhere and not related to the weather, it could be a piping leak (possibly from a hidden pipe in a wall), in which case you may want to hire a plumber to take a look.
Scratching in the walls
Another one of the strange sounds you may hear is scratching sounds. Scratching in the walls is a clear sign that you have mice or rats. Such rodents can carry disease – if they contaminate any food and you then eat it, you could get seriously ill.
While you may be able to catch the mice yourself, your best option is to hire a pest control service. Such services will know the best way of eliminating the infestation if there’s more than one rodent.
Buzzing sockets
If an electrical socket is making a loud buzzing sound, it means that there could be some loose wires in the connection. If this is accompanied by burning smells or discoloration of the outlet, it could be a warning sign that an electrical fire is likely to occur.
Consequently, you should call up an electrician the moment you suspect that this may be the case. Fixing the wiring could be a fairly simple and cheap job and could prevent a possible fire in the future.
Hissing air con
If your air conditioning unit is making strange sounds like a persistent hissing or whistling sound, it could be due to a refrigerant leak. These leaks can result in toxic freon gas being released into the air, which you don’t want to be breathing in for long periods.
An HVAC technician will be able to assess your air conditioning unit and check if this is the case. Hissing sounds can be down to other reasons – in all cases, it’s worth getting it looked at just to be safe.
Rumbling boilers/furnaces
Boilers and furnaces can make all kinds of noises as detailed in this post at The Spruce. Clunking, gurgling, and banging sounds are often worth looking into, but one sound you should get checked out immediately is a low rumbling sound.
A low rumbling boiler that sounds like a kettle boiling could be a sign of overheating due to a faulty thermostat or a leak. While it’s unlikely your boiler is about to explode, it is still worth hiring a gas plumber immediately to take a look.
Meanwhile, a low rumbling furnace could be a sign of burner or pilot light issues. You should turn off the gas immediately if you hear this sound and call out a furnace repair technician to take a look – especially if your furnace is producing odd smells.
Final Thoughts About Strange Sounds
Strange sounds can mean a multitude of things. Make sure to check each one to ensure it is not a sign of a bigger issue. An ounce of prevention can ensure less future expenses.